Goldfish Swim School opens location in Macomb Township

Goldfish Swim School members enjoying a class included, left to right, Cyndy Carson and son Cole, Hope Bayer, Sarah Alberts with son Owen and Goldfish Swim School Macomb manager and mom, Chrissy Orlando with daughter Rosabelle.

They’re not like baby hippos which are born underwater and instinctively paddle their way to the surface for their first breath of air. But a qualified instructor can teach little humans as young as 4 months how to swim.

“Being in the water is still very natural to them at that age,” said Chrissy Orlando, general manager of Goldfish Swim School, which is opening on Hall Road in Macomb Township on March 31. Orlando, who has spent most of her life swimming – either as part of the Fraser High School team or Clinton Township’s summer camp swimming instructor - is also a mom. Her own daughter Rosabelle has yet to walk on land but can paddle her way around a pool. “She loves the water,” said Orlando. “She can swim about 5 feet now.”

Rosabelle is not alone.

There are schools of children – from 4 months to 12 years – being enrolled at Goldfish Swim School, established in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Jenny and Chris McCuiston. All of the classes are taught by trained instructors such as Orlando, in a safe, kid-friendly and fun environment. Headquartered in Birmingham, the McCuistons opened their first franchise in Farmington Hills. When it’s operational, the Macomb Township location will feature the amenities that made the first school a success including a beach club-like environment.

“It’s very colorful and bright,” Orlando said. “We have a palm tree.”

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And a custom-built 4-foot-deep pool, that is kept at a shiver-free 90 degrees.

“That (warmth) alone takes a big hurdle out of the learning process,” Orlando said. Instead of spending the first 10 minutes of a lesson trying to make her young students forget how cold they are, she can get down to the business of teaching.

“It’s a program solely focused on teaching children how to swim,” Orlando said. Babies – who are still developing muscles – play games that are meant to engage and develop their skills in the water. This, paired with the tropical atmosphere and music, creates an environment for students to thrive.

“We also realize that each family is different and we make sure that they all have a good experience in the water,” Orlando said. Be it an infant in a class with mom or a 12-year-old coming on her own, instructors work to create a positive experience.

Goldfish Swim School offers a monthly membership of $80. This covers a half-hour lesson each week. Membership does have its privileges, including a state-of-the-art water purification system designed to maintain a clean environment. The school’s resort-like atmosphere features private changing rooms, a snack bar, pro shop, and a blow dry bar for children to dry their hair following their lesson. Parents of older children taking lessons on their own can wait in a viewing and play area with siblings not taking lessons.

“Our facility is designed with children and parents in mind,” said Katie Lee, co-owner of the Macomb Township location. “We designed the interior to be bright and welcoming and the pool to be warm and inviting. We pair that with 1-on-1 swim instruction personalized to fit a child’s needs so they won’t be nervous when they enter the water.”

Goldfish Swim School Macomb is located in the Country Meadows Shopping Center at 18377 Hall Road, Suite 1, in Macomb Township. For more information, visit goldfishswimschool.com.